Colbyjack -- Hunter Pence, One That Got Away?

[MassBrew]

colby, noticed that 2002 Brewer 40th round pick LF Hunter Pence went in the second round this year to Houston. His OPS this year was 1.057.

 

What happened that summer that kept us from signing him before he went to Division I Texas-Arlington that fall, thus making him ineligible until this week for a re-draft?

 

Fair to say a mis-calculation by the Brewers, or were they just two full years ahead of the pack on this kid?

[colbyjack]

Pence was pretty raw when we drafted him. He really burst onto the scene last summer, being named the Jayhawk League's #6 prospect last summer. He doesn't offer much more than his bat, but as you saw by his numbers he has one heck of a bat. I've seen his name mentioned on a few top prospect lists/All-American teams over the past year or so, so people in scouting & Baseball America have known about him for quite some time.

 

He transferred to Texas-Arlington after his freshman season, so he likely saw the opportunity to play at a D1 program to be more appealing than being followed as a DFE. It may have taken the Brewers by surprise for all I know.

 

There may have been a miscalculation involved, but I also would take it as another sign that our scouts have a good eye for talent. Pence is another example of how a player can really develop within 1-2 years.

 

2nd round seems a little high, but good for him.